Nurse who fled UK after punching man with dementia is struck off
Nurse who fled country before she could be quizzed by police after she was caught punching, slapping and kicking man with dementia is struck off
- A nurse has been struck off for punching and kicking a patient with dementia
- However Lohan Monalisa Maria fled the country before she could be arrested
- She was suspended in 2019 after being caught kicking a resident into their room
A nurse who was seen punching, slapping and kicking and elderly man in her care has been struck off, but fled the country before she could be arrested.
Lohan Monalisa Maria’s actions fell ‘seriously short of the conduct and standards expected’ and was struck off the register after an investigation into the distressing incident at Birch Tree Manor care home in Port Sunlight, Wirral.
Monalisa Maria was working as a night manager on October 28, 2019, and was supposed to be providing care for ‘Resident A’, described as ‘a vulnerable elderly resident with dementia’.
A health care assistant (HCA) at the home, referred to as Colleague B, saw Monalisa Maria launch a shocking attack on the man.
In a witness statement, she said: ‘I witnessed Lohan slap Resident A on the side of his head on a number of occasions. Lohan slapped Resident A on the side of head.
‘She slapped him with one hand and then used her other hand and she did this on at least three times Resident A shouted ‘get off, f***off’ repeatedly and was very angry. I did not witness Resident A hit Lohan.’
Lohan Monalisa Maria (pictured) was struck off from her job as a nurse by the Nursing and Midwifery Council after she was seen punching, slapping and kicking and elderly man in her care but fled the country before she could be arrested
Three charges were found against Monalisa Maria, relating to the slaps, punches and kicks, proved, but she was cleared of leaving Resident A in soiled clothing
Another HCA, Colleague C, also saw the assaults and added: ‘To my absolute shock Ms Maria approached [Resident A] from behind and whilst she was standing behind [Resident A] she slapped both sides of his head a few times.
‘I could not believe what I had witnessed, I felt absolutely disgusted and words cannot describe how sad I felt for [Resident A].
‘[Resident A] wobbled when Maria slapped him and I was scared that [Resident A] may fall.’
The pair also saw Monalisa Maria punch the man three times in the back. Colleague C said: ‘I vividly recall thinking she had used some force to punch him’.
Finally, the women recalled the nurse kicking Resident A in his buttocks to force him to his room. The HCAs reported Monalisa Maria that night and she was suspended with immediate effect.
According to a written Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) ruling: ‘There is currently an ongoing police investigation regarding the allegations of abuse. However, the police have confirmed that they have not been able to make contact with Ms Monalisa Maria as she has left the country.’
A Merseyside Police spokeswoman confirmed a ‘suspect had been identified’ following allegations of assault and ‘circulated as wanted’ but that no arrests have been made.
An independent disciplinary panel convened by the NMC found three charges against Monalisa Maria, relating to the slaps, punches and kicks, proved.
However the panel cleared her of leaving Resident A in soiled clothing, and also of working at the home without professional indemnity insurance.
The panel found that only a striking off order would suffice.
It wrote: ‘The panel determined that abuse of any patient is inherently serious and found that the misconduct in this case reflected harmful deep-seated personality and attitudinal problems. It also found no evidence of insight or remorse, and a consequent risk of repetition.
‘The conduct, as highlighted by the facts found proved, was a significant departure from the standards expected of a registered nurse. The panel determined that there was no evidence to suggest that Ms Monalisa Maria would use a period of suspension to address the specific concerns raised about her conduct in this matter.’
The incident is the second time a staff member at Birch Tree Manor has been caught abusing a vulnerable patient.
In 2021 former carer Valentina Baghiu received a suspended sentence at Wirral Magistrates’ Court for taunting and poking a helpless elderly woman with dementia between May and November, 2019.
Bond Care, which runs the home, said Birch Tree Manor was taken over by new management in October 2019 and new measures have been put in place to protect residents.
A spokesman for Bond Care said: ‘We are saddened and disappointed that these incidents occurred in our home. Since October 2019 we have had a change in management in the home and installed monitoring devices to further safeguard the wellbeing of our residents and staff.
‘The health and wellbeing of our residents is our number one priority and this episode is not a reflection on our outstanding and dedicated staff and home.’
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